JI rejects federal committee on merged districts
In a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Jamaat-e-Islami's Central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Abdul Wasi, former senior provincial minister and Northern K-P chief Inayatullah Khan, alongside South K-P General Secretary Muhammad Zahoor Khattak and Provincial Information Secretary Noorul Wahid Jadoon, announced that the party will hold an All Parties Conference (APC) in Peshawar on July 29 to discuss the issue.
The JI leadership asserted that the federal government has no authority to make major decisions regarding the merged districts following the 25th Constitutional Amendment, which integrated the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into K-P.
"Any significant decision regarding the merged districts is now the constitutional prerogative of the provincial assembly," they emphasized.
They urged the federal government to refrain from unconstitutional steps that could further marginalize the already underdeveloped tribal districts and instead focus on fulfilling the promises made at the time of the merger. These include ensuring the region's development and integration into the mainstream.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1716376468-0%2Faimal-(1)1716376468-0-640x480.webp&w=3840&q=100)
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
ANP to convene 'Pakhtun Jirga', APC
The Awami National Party (ANP) has announced it will convene a Pakhtun Jirga in Peshawar and an All Parties Conference (APC) in Islamabad over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, target killings, minerals bill, provincial rights and the possible abolition of the 18th Amendment. ANP President Aimal Wali Khan held the state responsible for the murder of senior party leader Maulana Khan Zeb in Bajaur. He said he will write a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to investigate the murder. A think-tank meeting of ANP was chaired by Aimal Wali Khan on Tuesday. The meeting discussed the law and order situation. After the meeting, The ANP chief addressed a press conference along with former chief minister Haider Hoti, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and other members of the think-tank. They said ANP's central secretary for Ulema Affairs Maulana Khan Zeb was killed in a tragic incident in Bajaur. The incident occurred at a place, which is considered as the stronghold of state institutions. Surprisingly, not only did the killers disappear immediately after the incident, all the CCTV cameras installed at the location also vanished. The people of Bajaur believe that state actors are involved in the murder, the ANP leaders noted. They demanded that a powerful judicial commission headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan be formed if the state truly has no role in the recent killing. They also insisted to include a member of Maulana Khanzeb's family in the proposed commission to ensure transparency and justice for the family. The ANP leaders said their workers are being killed, but the culprits are not being traced. Neither Taliban nor ISIS has claimed responsibility for Maulana Khanzeb's murder, they added, asking if both the entities are denying their role, who is the killer then? They demanded that the name and face of the person involved in the murder be brought to light. They indicated to approach international forums if justice is not provided within the country. They announced that ANP will convene a Pakhtun Jirga in Peshawar and an All Parties Conference (APC) in Islamabad, with dates to be revealed soon. "It is a delusion of those who think they can force us to retreat from the 18th or 25th Constitutional Amendments through intimidation, terrorism and killing," said the ANP leaders. They added that the entire nation knows who is behind terrorism from Waziristan to Bajaur and what their objectives are. They warned of street agitation if a judicial commission is not formed to investigate the murder. "We won't budge up a little even if we are thrown out of parliament or deleted from Form 45 and Form 47," the ANP leaders vowed. The ANP has proven through its opposition to the Mines and Minerals Bill that no law can be passed without its consent, they highlighted. They also pointed out that ANP leaders are being tempted to join other parties with promises of greener pastures.
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Traders call off strike after agreement with govt over tax penalties
The business community has postponed the countrywide strike after successful talks with the government over certain budgetary measures introduced through the Finance Act 2025. A day earlier, the federal government invited representatives of all trade bodies for negotiations after Karachi's business community and transporters announced a countrywide wheel-jam strike scheduled for July 19. The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) had called the strike in protest against five key measures incorporated into the federal budget for the current fiscal year, along with 32 anomalies in the Finance Act. KCCI opposes Sections 37A and 37B of the Finance Act, which, it claims, grant the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) arbitrary arrest powers. It also objects to Section 21(S), which imposes harsh penalties on cash transactions of Rs200,000 or more; mandatory digital invoicing under SRO 709; and the imposition of E-Bilty under Section 40. Read More: Aurangzeb offers talks to avert July 19 strike According to the Ministry of Finance, a joint meeting was held on Tuesday between government officials and business community representatives. The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and attended by members of chambers of commerce, trade organisations, and senior government officials. The meeting included a detailed review of the traders' concerns, particularly regarding Section 37A and other contentious provisions of the Finance Act 2025. During the session, a committee was formed under Prime Minister's Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan to address the business community's reservations. It was also decided that the strike would be postponed until the committee completes its work. Also Read: SCCI backs strike against tax measures The finance minister assured traders of the government's full cooperation and transparency, stating: 'The government's objective is to curb large-scale tax fraud, not to harass honest businesses.' The committee will also include Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Prime Minister's Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, the Chairman of the FBR, and representatives nominated by the business community. The committee is expected to conduct detailed consultations over the next 30 days and present a consensus-based, practical solution to the federal cabinet. It was agreed that the traders' concerns regarding transactions will be addressed, and efforts will be made to ensure that the business community does not face unnecessary difficulties.
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PTI faces internal rift over August 5 protest plans
Listen to article The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is grappling with internal divisions over the timeline and strategy for a nationwide protest aimed at securing the release of its jailed founder, former prime minister Imran Khan. The discord, primarily between the party's central leadership and its Punjab chapter, has escalated tensions as the proposed August 5 protest date approaches, marking two years since Khan's imprisonment. The central leadership — including Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur — has advocated for a 90-day campaign culminating in a decisive protest, emphasising a strategic build-up to maximise impact. Gandapur, speaking at a Lahore press conference on July 13, described the movement as a 'do-or-die' effort to challenge what PTI calls a 'fascist regime' and to secure Khan's release. Read More: Aleema Khan welcomes PTI Parliamentarians' unity at Lahore meeting He stressed that the campaign would involve mobilising supporters across every district and tehsil, peaking by August 5, after which a new phase would be announced. In contrast, PTI Punjab Chief Organizer Aliya Hamza Malik has firmly backed an immediate protest on August 5, aligning with a call attributed to Imran Khan via his sister, Aleema Khan. Malik has reportedly threatened to resign if the party deviates from this date, highlighting a lack of coordination with the central leadership. Sources indicate that Malik has already directed Punjab's party organisation to prepare for the August 5 protest, mobilising workers in districts such as Okara, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Faisalabad, and Chiniot. The rift became public when Malik, excluded from a key strategy meeting in Lahore, voiced her frustration on X. ویسے تو میرے تک پہنچنے والی کچھ اطلاعات کے مطابق میں پچھلےدو دن سے بہت مصروف تھی 🫣 ایسی مصروفیات جن کا شاید مجھے بھی عمل نہیں تھا! کیا کوئی روشنی ڈالے گا؟ وزیراعظم خان کی رہائی کے لیے کس لائحہ عمل کا کل یا آج اعلان ہوا ہے؟ تحریک کہاں سے اور کیسے چلے گی؟ 5اگست کے مقابلے میں 90… — Aliya Hamza Malik (@aliya_hamza) July 13, 2025 In a series of posts, she questioned the origins of the 90-day plan and sought clarity on the movement's objectives, stating, 'The focus and target is only the release of Imran Khan.' Her absence from the meeting — which included Gandapur, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, and Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bhachar — was dismissed by Raja as due to 'other commitments,' a claim Malik refuted sarcastically, noting she was unaware of her supposed busyness. However, Aleema Khan, speaking to the media, welcomed the Lahore gathering as a sign of unity among PTI parliamentarians but expressed ignorance about Malik's exclusion, stating, 'We were told this was a meeting of parliamentarians.' She reaffirmed Imran Khan's call for protests to peak on August 5, noting that his entire family, including his UK-based sons, would participate. 90 دن یا 5 اگست کا سوال ہم عمران خان کے ساتھ کھڑے ہیں انہوں نے 5 اگست کہا ہے تو بس وہ ہی تاریخ ہے ہم اپنے کام پر فوکس کر رہے ہیں ہمارا نشانہ عمران خان کی رہائی ہونی چاہیے باقی باتیں فضول ہیں ۔ چیف آرگنائزر پنجاب عالیہ — Ahmad Hassan Bobak (@ahmad__bobak) July 14, 2025 Barrister Gohar has attempted to quell the discord, urging leaders to address concerns through internal party channels rather than public forums. 'If any leader has a complaint, they should inform me directly,' he said, promising to escalate issues to Imran Khan. However, the public spat has raised concerns about PTI's cohesion at a critical juncture, with some analysts suggesting it reflects deeper issues of centralisation and trust within the party. Meanwhile, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has signalled a firm stance against potential unrest. Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but accused PTI of a history of violence, referencing the May 9, 2023, incidents. 'No political party is allowed to attack with weapons,' Bukhari said, warning that disruptive tactics would be met with strict action. As PTI navigates these internal challenges, the party also faces external pressures, including a government crackdown following past protests. The November 2024 'Final Call' protest in Islamabad — led by Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, and Gandapur — resulted in at least six deaths, including four security personnel, and nearly 1,000 arrests, according to independent reports. Amnesty International has called for a transparent investigation into the use of lethal force during those clashes, highlighting a pattern of intolerance for peaceful assembly in Pakistan. With the August 5 deadline looming, PTI's ability to unify its leadership and mobilise supporters will be critical to the success of its campaign. The ongoing rift risks undermining the party's momentum, potentially weakening its position against a government already fortified by security measures and legal actions against PTI members.
